Morton takes UCI America Tour crown

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Australian Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly-Maxxis) was crowned overall winner of the UCI Americas Tour continental circuit, which concluded in October with the Tobago Cycling Classic.

The remaining 2016 races on the continent: Vuelta Guatemala, October 24-November 11, the Gran Premio de San Jose, November 12, and the Vuelta Popular a Costa Rica, December 13-25, are on the 2017 America Tour.

Morton enjoyed a stellar season, taking out overall wins in the Tour of the Gila and Tour of Utah, and was en route to a high overall finish in the Tour of California before a crash on stage 4 to Laguna Seca took him out of action.

"This is a great recognition of an incredible season for Lachlan," said Jelly Belly Director Danny van Haute. "The Americas Tour overall is awarded to an individual, but the team played an enormous part in putting Lachlan into that position and everyone on this year's team should be proud."

Holowesko-Citadel's Robin Carpenter was second in the individual rankings behind Morton, thanks to his victory in the Tour of Alberta. Cannondale-Drapac's Andrew Talansky, third in the Tour of Utah and fourth in California, was third.

The North Americans dominated the team standings, with Holowesko-Citadel taking the top spot by a slim 13 points over Canadian squad Silber Pro Cycling. Axeon Hagens Berman was third.

2016 UCI America Tour